My Projects

Curriculum worksheets

You use: Scout + InkWillow (ChatGPT) + Curriculum Organizer

One week at a time: letter, number, shape, color, and theme. 30 or more worksheets, plus Play-Doh mats. For ages 3 to 4. The curriculum is always growing and never finished; you just keep adding to it.

1. Scout gives you ideasEvery Monday, 2 to 3 fresh seasonal ideas. You say which ones you like.
2. Scout writes the promptUsing your Master Bible. That one file has everything: the frame, the fonts, the rules, and the idea bank. You only upload that one file.
3. One sample firstInkWillow makes one worksheet first. You look at it and approve the look before any more are made.
4. InkWillow makes the restOnly after you approve the sample. Every page uses the polka dot frame with your logo and the Name line across the top.
5. Scout checks themEnough work on each page, space between items, letters mixed in (not all the same letter), dotted tracing for letters and numbers, cut-out pieces at the bottom or side when needed.
6. File them by weekSaved with week page numbers like W08-01, and put in the Curriculum Organizer so you can find them again.

Your part: Pick ideas, approve the one sample, tell Scout if a page looks too busy or too simple.

Companion books: The Schoolhouse Helpers

You use: Scout + InkWillow (ChatGPT) + The Title Studio + Story Shelf

One short storybook for each curriculum week, starring Oliver Owl, Pip Mouse, Beatrice Bunny, Finn Fox, Mabel Hedgehog, and Tilly Turtle. Each book uses that week's letter, number, shape, color, and theme.

1. Start with the weekScout pulls that week's letter, number, shape, color, and theme from the curriculum plan.
2. Scout writes the story and the promptsShort rhyming story, helpers in their locked colors. Outfits can change with the season, base colors never do.
3. InkWillow draws the pagesFull color, 8 by 10 portrait. Story words go in a band at the bottom of each page, in Fredoka.
4. Scout checks every pageRight helper, right colors, right letter and number for the week, words match the picture.
5. The Title Studio letters the coverIt designs the title on the real cover art. Scout rebuilds that design exactly when the book is put together.
6. You proof the whole bookRead it start to finish. Nothing is published before this step.
7. Scout puts it on the Story ShelfScout uploads it using your Cloudflare API key, so there is no sign-in trouble. You send parents the link to that week's book only.

Your part: Approve the story idea if Scout asks, then proof the finished book.

Your own picture books

You use: Scout + InkWillow (ChatGPT) for most art, Gemini for moons, The Poetry Garden for poems, The Title Studio for covers

The books with your name on them: Topsy-Turvy Tilly, Hurry Up and Slow Down, Circle of Moons, Tiny Wonders, and The Night of Glowing Lanterns.

1. Words firstYour story or poem is locked first. If it starts as an idea, The Poetry Garden can turn it into a poem. Scout keeps the final words in a file.
2. Style and characters are lockedEach book has one look and one set of character sheets. Every new page uses those same sheets, so the characters stay the same.
3. Scout writes one prompt per pageInkWillow draws most books. Gemini paints the moons for Circle of Moons. Scout sends the character sheets with every prompt.
4. Scout checks every pageSame character, same style, no extra text or logos in the art. If a page drifts, Scout has it redone.
5. Covers come last for the artThe Title Studio designs the title lettering on the finished cover art. Scout does not tell it which font to use.
6. Scout lays out the bookWords placed where that book keeps them, front and back matter added, finished file built for the Story Shelf and for print.
7. You proof it, then it goes liveYou read the whole book. Scout uploads it to the Story Shelf and, when you are ready, preps it for print.

Your part: Give Scout your ideas and stray thoughts any time. Scout catches and files them. You approve pages and proof the finished book.

New apps and games

You use: Scout to build, ChatGPT only when the app needs a lot of pictures

Games and tools that run from a link, like Skip-Bo, Little Tracers, and the Label Maker. No app store needed.

1. You describe the idea in plain wordsWhat it should do, who will use it, what it should look like.
2. Scout helps you pick where to build itPictures are the main thing: start in ChatGPT. A game you will keep and grow, or anything that needs your own link and your files: Scout builds it on your Cloudflare. Quick one-time tool: either works.
3. Scout builds the first versionOne working version, not a drawing of one.
4. You test it on your iPhone or iPadYour test is the one that counts. Tell Scout what felt wrong, in your own words.
5. Scout fixes and rebuildsRepeat the test and fix steps until it feels right to you.
6. Scout adds it to this pageNew app goes in “Your projects right now” and in the links below, so you can always find it.

Your part: Describe it, test it, say what you like and what you do not.

Little Tracers and tracing sheets

You use: Little Tracers app + your printer

Name and word tracing for kids who are learning letters. Dashed letters, bold and dark, in plain school print.

1. Type the name or wordOne word repeats across each line. For a sentence, leave the repeat setting on, so it shows once per line.
2. Print the picture versionUse the 8 by 10 image version. Open it in Photos or Files, then Share, then Print. That prints clean.
3. Want it linked in your curriculum?Tell Scout. That link is on the list to add as an extra inside the curriculum.

Your part: Type, print, hand it to the child.

When we start anything new

You use: Just tell Scout

1. Tell Scout what you are startingOne sentence is enough.
2. Scout adds it to this pageWhat it is, what tool we use, the steps, and where it left off.
3. Scout keeps it updatedWhen an app is built, a book is finished, or a project is parked, this page changes to match.

Your part: Nothing extra. If Scout ever forgets, say: “Update my team page.”